Wild Animal Hosts look forward to meeting you

Jespha - The older ...

In Limpopo, bordering the historic Leydsdorp where gold was 1st discovered in South Africa in 1891, you will find a wildlife reserve and sanctuary that is held in trust for more than 4500 rescued wild animals.

Many wild animals have been rescued by the SanWild Wildlife Emergency Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre over the years and what makes this reserve unique is that your hosts are the animals themselves; Among them are two charming French hippo bulls called Tonga and Aldo. They recently “immigrated” to South Africa from Paris after being confiscated by the French conservation authorities from 2 separate travelling circuses in France. KLM airlines donated their airfares and the hippos have formally been appointed as the SanWild Wildlife Sanctuary’s ambassadors for 2008.

Tonga - a rescued Hippo bull

Sharing the hippos safe “haven” are the neighbours who relocated to SanWild in 2006 before they could be hunted in a culling operation in KwaZulu Natal. The famous Thukela elephants have now established themselves in their new territory and learnt to trust and not fear mankind.

Lurking in the shadows and regularly seen on night game drives are the terrible trio; three hand raised brown hyenas who had a Thabazimbi farmer and his team searching for 48 hours after their mother’s untimely death to find the small unweaned cubs that would have died was it not for human intervention. Called Noki, Tickle and Tom these very special creatures presence is welcomed in a wildlife reserve where animals most definitely have the right of way.

Kariba and her new Giraffe friend

On regular camp duty is Kariba, a hand raised giraffe calf that was rescued after her mother had been caught in a poacher’s snare. She has grown into a stunning young female who loves hanging around the tourist camp where she keeps a close eye on the visiting humans while acting as the camp’s Public Relations Officer.

It is only the presence of yet another two wild animals rescued from poaching that can persuade Kariba to stand aside; Wireless and Tshu, two hand raised white rhinos also do enjoy visiting the waterhole and as they have no fear of humans may settle down for an afternoon nap in the shade.

Almost every animal in this reserve has a story to tell and you are now invited to meet them yourself and at the same time contribute to their welfare and safety.

Sadly this year has been particularly bad for animals in the 6000 hectare reserve as a result of the prolonged drought and SanWild urgently needs to raise funds to continue to purchase food to keep the animals going until the 1st rains will hopefully fall at the end of October or early November this year.

The last time SanWild had any rain was in December 2007 and conditions are pretty tough for the animals. However in this unique sanctuary, man works effortlessly to protect and ensure the welfare of the animals under their custodianship and have been putting out supplement feeding to minimise the animals struggle to survive. You too can now join the SanWild team to make a real difference and help save animals’ lives by booking your stay with SanWild to experience this unique animal welfare project.

Named after a rescued leopard that is regularly spotted at the waterhole just below the camp, the Savannah Camp offers stylish accommodation in private chalets under thatch each with its own bathroom. A resident chef (she is a human) prepares all your meals while you can relax on the veranda viewing animals that visit the waterhole.

For more information please phone Lizel Kachelhoffer on 021-9871493 or visit:
SanWild Wildlife Sanctuary & Game Reserve

Website Links & Related Pages:
http://www.sanwild.org
http://www.afritrust.com

Editors Note:
The SanWild Wildlife Emergency Rescue Unit has been in operation in South Africa’s Limpopo Province since 2000. During the last 7.5 years numerous injured, orphaned and traumatized wild animals have been given a second chance as a result of the quick and effective response by a group of caring individuals. The SanWild Wildlife Trust’s main objective is to rescue injured, orphaned and traumatised wild animals and to make available a safe and protected refuge for rescued animals.

Please consider helping in any way you can…
Make a donation, sponsor an animal (you can “adopt” an animal), volunteer, book a holiday … Visit the Afritrust website to get involved! http://www.afritrust.com